On November 4, 2011, LPL hosted a celebration of a life well lived, to honor the life and career of Michael J. Drake. Approximately 250 colleagues and friends attended. The event was streamed live by Arizona Public Media.

Tim Swindle, acting department head and director, hosted the program. Speakers included Joaquin Ruiz, Executive Dean, UA Colleges of Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Matthew Drake, M.D., Oregon Health Sciences Center; and Eugene G. Sander, President of the University of Arizona.

Dean Ruiz announced at the start of the program that the building at 1415 N. Sixth Avenue, formerly known as both the PHOENIX Science Operations Center and the OSIRIS-REx building, had been officially re-named the Michael J. Drake Building.

Susan Brew (Manager, Arizona Space Grant Consortium) and Dante Lauretta (OSIRIS-REx PI and Associate Professor, PtyS/LPL) also spoke about Mike's life, research, and legacy to LPL, to education, and to the field of planetary science.

Guests, including many LPL alumni, shared stories and memories at a reception following the program.